Leonard Stanley Ceglarski

Leonard Stanley Ceglarski Sr. passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2017 in Plymouth, Massachusetts after a brief illness. Len was born on June 27, 1926 in Walpole, Massachusetts; he was the youngest of Stella and Anthony Ceglarski's eight children. Len attended Boston College, where he was a member of the 1949 NCAA Championship hockey team. He earned All-American honors after the 1949-50 season. In the off-season, Len was an All-East second baseman for the BC baseball team. After his graduation in 1951, Len joined the United States Marine Corps. While serving in the Marines, he was named to the U.S. Olympic hockey team which won a silver medal at Oslo, Norway in 1952.

In 1952, Len married Ursula Murphy at St. Theresa Church in Watertown, Massachusetts. Len taught and coached at Walpole High School before being named head hockey coach at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. In his fourteen seasons at Clarkson, he took his team to three National Championship games. In 1972, Len was named head hockey coach at his alma mater, Boston College, where he coached for twenty seasons. When he concluded his 34 year coaching career in 1992, he retired with the most victories ever amassed in the history of the game on the college level. Over the course of his career, Len received many honors and awards. He was inducted into The Massachusetts High School, Boston College, Clarkson University, US Hockey, and the National Polish-American Sports Halls of Fame, received the NHL's Lester Patrick Award for outstanding service to hockey, and was awarded three Spencer Penrose Trophies given to the national coach of the year. Befitting his approach to the game, Hockey East established The Len Ceglarski Sportsmanship award in 1992. His integrity, humility, and desire for excellence, brought honor to the game of hockey and impacted the lives of countless players along the way. Above all, Len will be remembered as a role model and teacher, both on and off the ice.

He enjoyed an active retirement in Duxbury, Massachusetts, and was devoted to his family. He took great pride in his six sons, and found immense joy in spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his beloved wife of 65 years, Len is survived by his sons, Mark (Joanne) of Bristol, CT; Leonard Jr, (Catherine) of Byfield, MA; Paul (Eileen) of Darien, CT; Peter (Susan) of Westlake Village, CA; Michael (Julie) of Marian, NC; and Timothy (Gilson) of Quincy, MA; 16 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are Tuesday, December 19th from 10 am - 1 pm at James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole, MA. A private memorial service will be held following the calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to support retired Jesuit priests at the Campion Health Center, 319 Concord Road, Weston, MA 02493.